From the Kansas City Star about an Alvin Ailey dance program in Kansas City, "The six-week program develops the children's overall talent with lessons in creative communications, personal development, lectures and field trips..."<P> <A HREF="http://www.kcstar.com/item/pages/story,local/37749b05.713,.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.kcstar.com/item/pages/story,local/37749b05.713,.html</A>

I wonder if this program's existence in Kansas City has to do with Milton Myers being originally from there? While in Kansas City a year ago a hotel clerk told me her brother dances in New York City also. I said "That's great!" At first I was going to let it past because everyone seems to know someone in New York City but then for some reason I asked what his name was. She said," Milton...Myers." She was shocked that I knew him. I guess no matter how successful we are in the arts field the family back home will never really appreciate it.<P>James

The Ailey summer program is also in New York, and they want to start others in Boston and possibly Phillie. I ran a summer arts program(not just dance, but music theatre and visual arts) here in Seattle. For "at-risk" inner city youth...many had parents in jail, had witnessed murders and gang violence. Although it was only a 6-week program, I feel we made some significant contributions and changes in these kid's lives. It's one of my most rewarding experiences in the arts...because dance wasn't just "entertainment" for these kids, or a "hobby" but literally a lifeline. The program was called the S.P.R.A.Y. Program (Summer Program in the arts for Youth)and we were funded by United Way.

Here is a story about the AileyCamp in Boston. Writes Christie Taylor in <A HREF="http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/arts_culture/danc07282000.htm" TARGET=_blank>this Boston Herald story</A>, "AileyCamp is as strenuous as a pre-professional dance camp without the emphasis on becoming a dancer."

Here is an article about a benefit for AileyCamp Boston:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Foxwoods Resort Casino is a proud, lead sponsor for Boston Magazine's annual Best of Boston® Party. Net proceeds from the event will go to AileyCamp Boston, a unique program that brings inner-city youngsters to a full-scholarship six-week summer day camp that combines dance with personal development workshops. Friends of professional dance legend Alvin Ailey established the camp. <P>``Foxwoods is very pleased to provide leading support for such a worthwhile event and beneficiary,'' said Bob DeSalvio, executive vice president for Marketing at Foxwoods. ``This is the second year we have worked with Boston Magazine to bring 'The Wonder Of It All' and the excitement of Foxwoods to one of our major markets. We participate in many community events throughout the region and the Best of Boston® party is a perfect complement for what we think is the world's best resort casino.''<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P> <A HREF="http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/000823/ct_foxwood.html" TARGET=_blank>http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/000823/ct_foxwood.html</A> <p>[This message has been edited by Azlan (edited August 23, 2000).]

More on the AileyCamp:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Students get their kicks from dance at AileyCamp<P>Kimberly Click, Boston Herald<P>The gym at the Renaissance Charter School in Boston was barely air-conditioned on the hottest day of last week's heat wave. Yet that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the 80 AileyCampers dressed in matching T-shirts, blue Umbro shorts and dance shoes. The 11- to 14-year-olds were enjoying their Fame Lunch, an open-mike-style talent exhibition for those who wanted to show off what they had learned during the six-week dance camp.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><a href=http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/arts_culture/camp08162001.htm target=_blank>More</a>

First time on the US West Coast:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>There was this one time, at dance camp ...<BR>UC Berkeley will host AileyCamp, a program aimed at underachieving kids that reinforces the link between art and discipline<P>Vera H-C Chan, Contra Costa Times<P>A six-week dance camp created by the internationally acclaimed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will be brought to the West Coast for the first time.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><a href=http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/entertainment/2718552.htm target=_blank>More</a>

From <B>Dance magic - East Bay kids build their dancing skills and self- esteem at AileyCamp</B> by Joshunda Sanders, San Francisco Chronicle:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Shane Sanders hates stretching, but he loves to dance. It's more fun than sitting home (well, most of the time) and it's taught him a few things about perseverance.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><A HREF="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/08/03/DD240441.DTL" TARGET=_blank><B>more...</B></A>

Click photo to enlargeNaomi Johnson Diouf leads the kids in a warm up exercise in her African dance class during the...«1234»Their backs arched and the gentle glow of stage lights emphasizing their sleek, black leotards, the middle-schoolers stand graceful and still as they wait for the pianist to begin.The group -- dressed the part of postured, classic ballet dancers -- is easily mistaken for seasoned young professionals.

But when AileyCamp ballet instructor Willie Anderson asks them to assume the pointe position, the jig is up: The students' bodies jerk in and out of balance, their arms totter up and down, and their ankles twitch with tension.

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